Do-Ahead Holiday Cookie Baking Tips

Do-Ahead Holiday Cookie Baking Tips

A cookie-baking marathon can begin weeks before Christmas, giving you more time to relax with family and friends during the holidays. Early baking also frees up the oven, a real plus if holiday parties are in the plans.

Here are a few helpful hints:

-- Most cookie doughs can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for at least three days; rolled doughs can be frozen for several weeks.

-- If the dough has been refrigerated for more than four hours, it can crack when rolled. To remedy this problem, let the dough stand at room temperature until it has softened and is easier to roll, 10 to 15 minutes.

-- Always cool just-baked cookies to room temperature before storing.

-- Once cookies are baked, store them in freezer bags or airtight containers up to one month.

To Pack Cookies:

-- Pack cookies in airtight containers with crumpled wax paper to fill in the gaps so the cookies won't move around in the container.

-- Pack the container of cookies in a heavy corrugated cardboard shipping box, and fill in with styroform "popcorn", crumpled newspaper or other packing material.